Seagulls fly high but Hughton stays calm

LONDON: Brighton manager Chris Hughton tried to calm talk of promotion to the English Premier League after his high-flying Seagulls returned to the top of the second-tier Championship with a 3-0 win at home to Reading.

The south coast club made the most of Newcastle dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Bristol City to fly above the Magpies thanks to goals from Sam Baldock, Jamie Murphy and Anthony Knockaert.

Only the top two clubs at the end of the season are guaranteed the lucrative prize of a Premier League spot and Brighton are now six points clear of third-placed Huddersfield.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez was frustrated by his side’s failure to beat Bristol City.

It might have been worse for Newcastle, who were indebted to Ciaran Clark’s header eight minutes from time after goals from Aaron Wilbraham and David Cotterill saw City go 2-0 up before an own-goal from Korey Smith at Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground gave the hosts a lifeline.

“For me it is two points lost,” said Benitez.

“We didn’t start well, we made mistakes and gave them hope they could get a result but the reaction in the second half was very good.”

Huddersfield were held to a 1-1 draw by Yorkshire rivals Barnsley while Leeds edge past Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.

Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game while Leeds goalkeeper Rob Green saved a Jordan Rhodes penalty.

Victory strengthened Leeds’s bid for a playoff place and manager Garry Monk said: “I thought we handled the pressure really well today and I’m very pleased with the players.” — AFP